Journal safety device for railway rolling stock



June 1951 P. J. MARAMAN ETAL 2,557,446

JOURNAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK Filed March 17, 1949 l INVENTOR. d Maze/n0 6. are:

' PASCHL 6 HENRY Q/nmeg Patented June 19, 1951 JOURNAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK Pascal J. Maraman and Henry G. Stokes, Graceville, Fla.

Application March 17, 1949, Serial No. 81,862

9 Claims. ('01. 246-169) The present invention relates to safety devices for railway rolling stock and more particularly to thermal responsive devices associated with the journal boxes of a railway truck for introducing fire extinguishing material and cooling air into a hot box. Since the release of compressed air into a hot box is a function of the device, the invention is especially adapted to rolling stock of the type wherein an abnormal reduction in air pressure in the air brake system results in automatic application of the brakes.

Dangers attendant overheated wheel bearings, commonly known as hot boxes in railway rolling stock have long been recognized.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a device which is responsive to an overheated box to extinguish possible fire in the box and also to provide for relatively slow cooling of the journal and minimize the danger of crystallization f the wheel axle otherwise caused by usual quenching.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character in combination with railway airbrake systems which operates to gradually apply and set the brakes when a hot box occurs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which will permit a release of the brakes with continued application of cooling air to the journal and permit the train to proceed to the nearest point of repair.

A still further object is to provide a device of the above character which is simple and eco nomical in manufacture, economical in upkeep and simple to service.

With the above and other important objects and advantages in view which will become more apparent during the course of the following description, the invention consists in the parts and combinations hereinafter set forth with the understanding that various changes may be made therein, such as in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts, or by the substitution of equivalents, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment th reof has been illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in perspective of the thermal responsive safety devices according to the invention as applied to a four-wheel railway car truck and the piping and valve connection with the main air line of the car;

Figure 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an end portion of a truck and one journal box showing the application of the safety device thereto;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the safety devices.

As best shown in Figure l, the invention comprises a relatively short cylindrical tube I made of steel or other suitable rigid metal and having an axial bore 2 opening through both ends thereof. At one end 3 of the tube l the bore 2' is diametrically enlarged somewhat and internally screw threaded as indicated at 4. At the opposite end 5 of the tube, the bore 2 is slightly reduced to form a small internal radial flange 6. The end 5 of the tube is provided with external screw threads 1.

Fitted in the end 3 of the tube is a fusible plug 8 which conveniently may be made of a short, externally threaded sleeve 8 adapted to fit the threaded enlargement 4 of the tube bore 2. A low melting point metal alloy IE1 is cast about the sleeve to fill the same and preferably form a slight axial extension H which is enlarged to the outside diameter of the tube I. As will be seen in Figure 4, the plug 8 is screw threaded into the bore enlargement 4 and closes the end 3 of the tube I, the extension II extending slightly beyond the end 3 of the tube.

Fitting within the bore 2 between the inner end of the plug 8 and the inner face of the flange 6 is a cylindrical capsule l2 which is hollow and closed at both ends. This capsule is likewise made of a low melting point metal alloy and has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the bore 2 to provide a slight space between the respective walls of the capsule and bore. Preferably, as indicated in Figure l, the length of the capsule is such that when the fusible plug 1 is fitted into the tube the capsule will be forced against the flange 6, the soft metal of the capsule making a pressure tight seal against the flange Contained within the capsule i2 is a fire extinguishing substance indicated generally as [3 and which may be of any suitable type, a number of which are commercially available.

One of the devices just described is associated with each of the journal boxes of a railway car and connected with the braking air system of the car, as will be described in the following.

Referring first to Figure 2, there is somewhat conventionally illustrated a portion of a railway car truck [A which includes a journal box IE housing the end of a Wheel axle l6 which is journalled in the usual brass IT. The outer end wall l8 of the box I is provided with a circular aperture I9 which will accept the tube 1 and which is positioned preferably just opposite the wheel axle l6. Rigidly secured to the outer face of the box wall I8 is a split clamp ring 20 which has a circular opening 2|, substantially the diameter of the tube I, and which registers with the aperture E9. The clamp ring 28 is provided with a draw-up screw 22 which intersects the split of the ring and is operative to constrict the opening 2 I.

As seen in Figure 2, the tube is inserted through the clamp ring 20 and the aperture 19 so that the fusible plugged end 3 lies inside the journal box with the plug 8 lying adjacent the axle It.

Referring now to Figure 1, the outer, screw threaded ends 3 of the tubes I on one side of the truck [4 are connected by suitable fittings 23' to a length of pipe 24 which extends along the side of the truck frame. This pipe 2 has a connection with one end of a flexible hose 25, the opposite end of which is connected with one branch of a Y fitting 26. The opposite branch of the Y 2i", is similarly connected through a flexible hose 2-! with a pipe 28 which in turn is connected with the outer ends of the tube I on the opposite side of the truck.

The main stem of the Y 26 is connected through a. conduit 29 and a manual shut-off valve 30 with the main air line 3-: of the air brake system of the car. A manually controlled and normally closed bleed valve arrangement, designated generally as 32, is provided on the Y side of the shutoif valve 3i).

Fromthe above it will. be seenv that with the valve 3i! open, each of the tubes. ii and their con necting lines will be under the air pressure of the car braking system. This air braking system is conventional and well known, and a detailed description is not believed necessary. It is thought sufficient to say that the system is of the type that: when the airpressure in the system is abnormally reduced such as by release to the at mosphere through an opening in the system, the car brakes will automatically be applied. Thus, if one of the tubes I should be opened by a melting of its plug 6, the air would bereleased into- Inoperation the tube 1 for each journal box 4 of the car is fitted with the fire extinguishing capsule l2, and its inner end is closed by the fusible plug 8, and the valve 5%? is opened to place the outer ends of the tubes under the air pressure of the braking system. Should a hot box now occur, the conducted and radiated heat will melt the fusible metal in the plug 8 and open the inner end of the tube. When this occurs, the air pressure behind the fire extinguisher capsule will force this capsule outwardly from the tubes and intocontact with the heated axle.

It is to be noted that the relative position of the tube and the axle, and. the length of the capsule is such that its forward end will engage the axle and the capsule willnot initially be blown completely clear of the tube. As a result, the air pressure will not be suddenly released, which would cause a sudden and hard application of the brakes, but will be gradually reduced by bleeding between the capsule and wall of; the

tube bore and effect a gradual and smooth application of the brakes.

As the fusible capsule i2 contacts the heated axle, it melts progressively from the contacting end until it finally blows free of the tube and completely opens the tube and admits the full force of air into the box to surround the heated parts with expanding and cooling air and prevent damage to the wheel axles. The brakes will then also be fully applied. Melting of the capsule will, of course, release its contents of fire extinguishing material and if fire is present in the". box, it will be extinguished.

It is. to be noted that the air expelled into the hot box provides relatively slow cooling of the heated parts and thereby minimizes the danger of metal crystallization and possibility of axle breakage attendant upon the usual water quenching, methods of cooling.

After the tube has blown as above set forth and the train stopped, the brakeman may inspect the box. He first closes the shut-off valve 3'0 and then as a precautionary measure, in. the event. the capsule l2 has not melted sufficiently to be blown from the tube, he opens the bleed valve 3| and relieves the air pressure between the closed valve 30 and the rear end of the tube Ii. This will prevent danger of a possible burn from the hot capsule blowing on him when he inspects. the journal.

If it is necessary to remove the train from a mainline onto a siding or to proceed at once to a place for repair, the shut-off Valve 30 may be cracked open sufiiciently' to supply a flow of cooling air intothe box but insufliciently to render the automatic brake setting operative and permit normal operation of the brakes. Normally operating pumps will deliver about eighteen pounds pressure per minute, which is excess of that required for brake operation. The valve 39 can, therefore, be adjusted to diverta portion of this air, say five or seven pounds per minute into the hot box and allow the train to safely proceed to the nearest point where the journal can be rebrassed and other necessary repairs made.

To service the safety device it is only necessary to loosen the clamp ring 29 and withdraw the tube l and a new fire extinguishing, capsule and fusible plug inserted and the tube replaced.

In the foregoing specification and in the drawings, only a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, however, that the disclosed embodiment is subject to various modifications which will fall within the spirit of the invention. By way of example, the clamp ring 20 may be replaced by a screw threaded connection between the tube l and the journal box, and different plumbing arrangements could be ems ployed for connecting the tubes with the air line.

We claim:

1. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes comprising a tube open at both ends and secured to a wall of the box with one. end of the tube extending into the box, a fusible plug closing the end of the tube within the box, means connecting the opposite end of the tube with a source of air under pressure, and a fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance. within the tube and adapted to be projected into the box with air and into contact with the axle when said plug is fused by heat within. the. box said.

capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance.

2. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes comprising a tube open at both ends and secured to a wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box and lying adjacent the axle, a fusible plug closing the end of the tube within the box, means connecting the opposite end of the tube with a source of air under pressure, and a, fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance contained Within the tube and adapted to be projected into the box with air and into contact with the axle when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance.

3. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes and having an air brake system of the type adapted to automatically apply the brakes upon an abnormal reduction of air pressure in said system comprising a tube having a cylindrical longitudinal bore open at both ends, means securing the tube to the wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box and lying adjacent the wheel axle and spaced therefrom, a fusible plug closing the end of the tube within the box, means connecting the opposite end of the tube with air under pressure in the air brake system, and a cylindrical fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing material contained within the bore and adapted to be projected into the box and into contact with the axle when said plug is fused by heat within the box, said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance said tube having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said bore and a length greater than the space between the end of said tube and said axle whereby upon initial contact of the capsule with the axle said capsule will not be projected completely from the tube to provide a restricted air orifice between the capsule and wall of said bore in order to slowly apply the brakes as the air escapes through the orifice.

4. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes comprising a cylindrical tube open at both ends and secured to a wall of the bore with one end of the tube extending into the box, an internal flange adjacent the opposite end of the tube, an inclosed cylindrical fusible capsule in the tube, a fusible plug member screw threaded into the end of the tube within the box and engaging the capsule to urge the same into sealing engagement with said flange, and means connecting the said opposite end of the tube with a source of air under pressure to project said capsule into the box and into contact with the axle, together with cooling air when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance.

5. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes comprising a tube open at both ends and extending through a wall of the box with one end of the tube lying therein, means including a constrictible clamp ring secured to said wall and encircling the tube to detachably connect the same to said box, a fusible plug closing the end of the tube within the box, means connecting the opposite end of the tube with a source of air under pressure, and a fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance contained within the tube and adapted to be projected into the box with air and into contact with said axle when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance -6. A journal safety device having Wheel axle journal boxes and having an air brake system of the type adapted to automatically apply the brakes upon an abnormal reduction of air pressure in said system comprising a tube open at both ends and secured to a Wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box, a fusible plug closing said end within the box, a fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance within the tube, means including a conduit connecting the opposite end of said tube with a main air line of said system whereby when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule and air will be projected into the box and into contact with said axle and reduce the air pressure in said system to apply the brakes said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance.

'7. A journal safety device having wheel axle journal boxes and having an air brake system of the type adapted to automatically apply the brakes upon an abnormal reduction of air pressure in said system comprising a tube open at both ends and secured to a Wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box, a fusible plug closing said end within the box, a fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance within the tube, means including a conduit connecting the opposite end of said tube with a main air line of'said system whereby when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule and air will' be projected into the box and into contact with said axle and reduce the air pressure in said system to apply the brakes, said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance and a manually controlled shut-off valve in the conduit between said tube and air line.

8. A journal safety device having wheel axle journal boxes and having an air brake system of the type adapted to automatically apply the brakes upon an abnormal reduction of air pressure in said system comprising a tube open at both endsand secured to a wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box, a fusible plug closing said end within the box, a fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing substance within the tube, means including a conduit connecting the opposite end of said tube with a main air line of said system whereby when said plug is fused by heat within the box said capsule and air will be projected into the box and into contact with said axle and reduce the air pressure in said system to apply the brakes, said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance a manually controlled shut-oil valve in the con duit between the tube and the air line, and a manually controlled bleed valve between said tube and shut-off valve.

9. A journal safety device for railway rolling stock having wheel axle journal boxes and having an air brake system of the type adapted to automatically apply the brakes upon an abnormal reduction of air pressure in said system comprising a tube having a cylindrical longitudinal bore open at both ends, means securing the tube to the wall of the box with one end of the tube extending into the box and lying 2 adjacent the wheel axle and spaced therefrom, a fusible plug closing the end of the tube within the box, means the tube with air under pressure in the air brake system, and a cylindrical fusible capsule containing a fire extinguishing material contained within the bore and adapted to be projected into the box and into contact with the axle when said plug is fused by heat within the box, said capsule being melted against said axle to release the fire extinguishing substance, said tube having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said bore and a length greater than the space between the end of said tube and said axle whereby upon initial contact of the capsule with the axle said capsule will not be projected completely from the tube to provide a restricted air orifice between the capsule and wall of said bore, in order to slowly apply the brakes as the connecting the opposite end of air escapes through the orifice, said capsule eventually being expelled from said tube as the capsule is melted down to allow the free escape of cooling air onto the axle and the complete application of the brakes by full reduction of the air pressure in said system.

PASCAL J. MARAMAN. HENRY G. STOKES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,228,232 Murray May 29, 1917 1,690,050 Blair Oct. 30, 1928 

